Animal Experimentation
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Item Development and evaluation of specifc polymerase chain reaction assays for detecting Theileria equi genotypes(Parasites & Vectors, 2023) Ahedor, B.; Otgonsuren, D.; Zhyldyz, A.; et al.Background Theileria equi causes equine piroplasmosis, an economically signifcant disease that afects horses and other equids worldwide. Based on 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA sequences), T. equi can be classifed into fve genotypes: A, B, C, D, and E. These genotypes have implications for disease management and control. However, no conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays are available to diferentiate the genotypes of T. equi. To over come this limitation, we developed and evaluated PCR assays specifc for the detection of each T. equi genotype. Methods A pair of forward and reverse primers, specifcally targeting the 18S rRNA sequence of each genotype, was designed. The genotype-specifc PCR assays were evaluated for their specifcity using plasmids containing inserts of the 18S rRNA sequence of each genotype. Subsequently, the assays were tested on 270 T. equi-positive equine blood DNA samples (92 from donkeys in Sri Lanka and 178 from horses in Paraguay). 18S rRNA sequences derived from the PCR amplicons were analyzed phylogenetically. Results Each genotype-specifc PCR assay accurately targeted the intended genotype, and did not produce any amplicons when 18S rRNA from other T. equi genotypes or genomic DNA of Babesia caballi or uninfected horse blood was used as the template. Previous studies employing PCR sequencing methods identifed T. equi genotypes C and D in the Sri Lankan samples, and genotypes A and C in the Paraguayan samples. In contrast, our PCR assay demonstrated exceptional sensitivity by detecting four genotypes (A, C, D, and E) in the Sri Lankan samples and all fve genotypes in the Paraguayan samples. All the Sri Lankan samples and 93.3% of the Paraguayan samples tested positive for at least one genotype, further emphasizing the sensitivity of our assays. The PCR assays also had the abil ity to detect co-infections, where multiple genotypes in various combinations were detected in 90.2% and 22.5% of the Sri Lankan and Paraguayan samples, respectively. Furthermore, the sequences obtained from PCR amplicons clustered in the respective phylogenetic clades for each genotype, validating the specifcity of our genotype-specifc PCR assays. Conclusions The genotype-specifc PCR assays developed in the present study are reliable tools for the diferential detection of T. equi genotypes.Item Moderate doses of Mucuna pruriens seed powder is safe and improves sperm count and motility(Phytomedicine Plus, 2023) Adjei, S.; Dagadu, P.; Amoah, B.Y.; et al.Background: Conventional remediation techniques involving male fertility include hormonal therapy, in vitro fertilization and surgery. However, the use of natural products continues to be a popular option. Emerging new products that have not been well investigated is the use of Mucuna pruriens seed powder. Aim: This study aimed at determining the efficacy and safety of Mucuna pruriens (MP) seed powder on the male fertility using normal animal models. Methodology: Four groups of seven (7) male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Groups comprised Control (distilled water), Low dose (500 mg/kg b.wt MP), Medium dose (1000 mg/kg b.wt MP) and high dose (2000 mg/kg b.wt MP). Test groups were administered aqueous crude extract of MP by gavage over 90 days. Upon sacrifice, the following assays were performed: FSH, testosterone, oestrogen, PSA, semen analyses, histology of reproductive organs, and general haematological and biochemical analyses. Results: FSH increased, whilst oestrogen decreased, across groups: however, it was not statistically significant between groups. Although testosterone increases were not statistically significant, increases were dose dependant. Sperm count increased significantly between the Control and Medium dose groups (p<0.001). Motility significantly increased with the Medium and High dose groups compared to Control group (p = 0.022, p = 0.029, respectively). Additionally, immotility significantly decreased in all treatment groups compared to control group (p = 0.013). No abnormality was observed in biochemical, haematological and histological analyses. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a margin of safety and improved spermogram pattern between the low and medium dose administration of Mucuna pruriens seed powder.Item Evidence of Rift Valley Fever Virus Circulation in Livestock and Herders in Southern Ghana(MDPI, 2023-06) Mensah, I.G.; Johnson, S.A.M; Asmah, R.; et alRift Valley fever (RVF) is a re-emerging zoonotic disease of domestic ruminants and humans. While neighbouring countries have reported outbreaks of RVF, Ghana has not yet identified any cases. The aim of this study was to determine whether RVF virus (RVFV) was circulating in livestock and herders in the southern part of Ghana, to estimate its seroprevalence, and to identify associated risk factors. The study surveyed 165 livestock farms randomly selected from two districts in southern Ghana. Serum samples of 253 goats, 246 sheep, 220 cattle, and 157 herdsmen were tested to detect IgG and IgM antibodies against RVFV. The overall seroprevalence of anti-RVF antibodies in livestock was 13.1% and 30.9% of farms had RVFV seropositive animals. The species-specific prevalence was 24.1% in cattle, 8.5% in sheep, and 7.9% in goats. A RVFV IgG seroprevalence of 17.8% was found among the ruminant herders, with 8.3% of all herders being IgM positive. RVFV was shown, for the first time, to have been circulating in southern Ghana, with evidence of a recent outbreak in Kwahu East; however, it was clinically undetected despite significant recent human exposure. A One Health approach is recommended to better understand RVF epidemiology and socio-economic impact in Ghana.Item Serosurvey for equine piroplasms in horses and donkeys from North-Western Nigeria using IFAT and ELISA(Taylor & Francis Group, 2021) Onyiche, T.E.; Sivakumar, T.; Tuvshintulga, B.; Nugraha, A.B.; Ahedor, B.; Mofokeng, L.; Luka, J.; Mohammed, A.; Mbaya, A.W.; Biu, A.A.; Yokoyama, N.; Thekisoe, O.Equine piroplasmosis is caused by apicomplexan parasites, namely, Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, which are transmitted to equids principally through ticks. To ascertain the exposure of equines to agents of equine piroplasms, we tested serum samples collected from horses (n = 272) and donkeys (n = 170) in North-Western Nigeria for the presence of antibodies against B. caballi and T. equi using IFAT and ELISA. The seroprevalence of T. equi in the horses determined using IFAT and ELISA was 48.89% and 45.96%, respectively, while for B. caballi, it was 6.3% and 0.4%, respectively. For T. equi, the seroprevalence based on IFAT and ELISA results in donkeys was 14.1% and 2.9%, respectively, while for B. caballi, the seroprevalence was 2.4% and 0.6%, respectively, for ELISA and IFAT. Mixed infection detected in the horses using IFAT and ELISA was 5.5% and 0.4%, respectively, while no mixed infection was observed in the donkeys. The seroprevalence of T. equi was significantly (P < .0001) higher than that of B. caballi in both horses and donkeys. Comparatively, the IFAT detected a greater number of piroplasm seropositive animals than ELISA, indicating a difference in their diagnostic accuracy. Findings from this study confirm the existence of equine piroplasms in both horses and donkeys in North-Western Nigeria and highlights the need for robust and effective control measures against the disease.Item Coping with Adversity: Resilience Dynamics of Livestock Farmers in Two Agroecological Zones of Ghana(MDPI, 2021) Nuvey, F.S.; Addo-Lartey, A.; Nortey, P.A.; Addo, K.K.; Bonfoh, B.Despite the increasing occurrence of adverse events including droughts and conflicts, livestock farmers in Ghana continue to raise animals to support their livelihoods and the national economy. We assessed the resilience of cattle farmers (CF) to adverse events they faced using a cross-sectional survey of 287 CF in two agroecological zones in Ghana. Resilience to adversities was assessed using the Resilience Scale (RS-14). Resilience scores and categories were computed and factors that explained variations in resilience categories assessed. The farmers kept, on average, 31 cattle per household, with a majority (91%) also growing crops. Key adverse events confronting them in both districts were animal disease outbreaks, pasture shortages, and theft, with 85% (240/287) losing, on average, seven cattle (15% of the herd size) over a one-year period. The mean resilience score was 71 (SD = 8) out of 98; 52% were highly resilient. Resilience was higher in the southern district (72 versus 70), albeit not statistically significant (p = 0.06). The resilience significantly improved with age, each unit increase in cattle in the herd, and having experience raising livestock (p < 0.001). The CF have relatively high resilience to adverse events affecting their productivity. The findings provide relevant information for implementing mitigation measures to improve production by reducing animal mortalities through high-quality veterinary services.Item Chloroquine-induced Pruritus: Familial Aggregation and possible Genetic Basis(Ghana Medical Journal, 1988-03) Ofori-Adjei, D.; Adjei, S.; Amoa, A.B.1152 attendants comprising 40% mole and 60% female subjects at urban private clinics and rural health centres in Ghana were interviewed by questionnaire. Enquiry was made into the occurrence of chloroquine-induced pruritus in themselves, their spouses, their children, their siblings and their parents. The questionnaire included the following details:- (a) self-medication for febrile illnesses (b) the number of tablets of chloroquine that induced pruritus. (c) the time of onset and duration of pruritus (d) the method of relief of pruritus 44.8% of respondents had experienced itching on taking chloroquine. 23.3% itched on being given chloroquine intramuscularly and 95% of these itched on oral chloroquine. The rate of itching on self-medication with chloroquine alone or with other drugs was 41%. 33.9% itched each time they took chloroquine and 30.9% itched at least once after taking chloroquine. The prevalence rate of chloroquine induced pruritus in this study was found to be between 30. 9% and 44.8%. of the respondents who knew about itching among their close relatives, 50.7% (309/609) had siblings who itched, 29.3% (184/628) had children who itched, and 21.9% (166/759) had parents who itched on taking chloroquine. The results describe a pattern suggestive of strong familial aggregation and thus a possible genetic basis for chloroquine-induced pruritus. In addition, a pathway a/inheritance leading to male preponderance in off-springs of respondents who itch has been established. The minimum number a/tablets required to induce itching was found to be 2, equivalent to 300mg base chloroquine. 42.2% o/respondents started itching within 2 hours, 24.1% between 2 and 6 hours, and 33.3% after 6 hours. Of the 57.6% who took drugs for relief of pruritus, 89.7% took antihistamine preparations. However there was no significant difference between those who took the drug before or after chloroquine ingestion, with regard to relief of pruritus.Item Comparative Clinical Study of the Effectiveness of Elaeophorbia Drupifera and Metronidazole in Guinea Worm Infection.(Ghana Medical Journal, 1989-09) Ayitey-Smith, E.; Ashitey, G.A.; Richardson, R.; Adjei, S.A comparative clinical study of Elaeophorbia drupifera extract and metronidazole was carried out in twenty patients during all outbreak of guinea worm infection. The effectiveness of the herbal preparation on guinea worm elimination, and relief of swellings and pain was studied. If was shown that the preparation of E. drupifera was clinically effective as an anthelmintic agent in guinea worm infection as compared with metronidazoleItem Strategies for malaria control within the primary health care system(Ghana Medical Journal, 1989-12) Adjei, S.Malaria is one of the major health problems facing the world. The four species of malaria parasite that, infect man present a threat to the health of some 2000 million people, about half of the world's population. By 31st December 1976, 21% of this population Lived in areas where malaria is reported to have been eradicated and 62% in areas where an: timalarial activities were being implemented. The remaining 17% were living in places where no antimalarial measures were being undertaken. In Ghana, the 1967 Medical Statistic Report ranked malaria second only to pneumonia, as certified cause of death. "'In the 0-5 age group, . malaria contributed 11.8% of the total certified death. In 1975 however, it was the leading contributor to the -healthy days of life lost" due to diseases and death. Since then however analysis of out· patient data has shown malaria or more accurately febrile episode as the leading reason for outpatient contact - contributing 30 to 40% of all outpatient consultations. Field studies indicated the extent of the problem in communities. A study in Danfa rural community indicates that though a splenic rate of over 50% was consistently found in children 2-9 years, malaria exhibits a stable condition. A follow -up survey of newly born children indicate an incidence tale of 30% in children before the age of one year with an average of 2-3 episodes per year.Item Comparative characterization of the oestrous cycles of the grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) and the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) by the hystricomorph vaginal membrane perforation phenomenon(Livestock Research for Rural Development, 2007-05) Addo, P.G.; Awumbila, B.; Awotwi, E.; Ankrah, N.A.The grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) is a hystricomorph rodent undergoing domestication; therefore to facilitate and enhance its breeding in captivity its oestrous cycle was characterized. For better elucidation, its oestrous cycle was studied alongside that of the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus), a domesticated spontaneous ovulating hystricomorph rodent. Sexually mature grasscutters and guinea pigs were monitored for the manifestation of the periodic vaginal membrane perforation phenomenon, which is a sign of oestrous cycling in hystricomorph rodents. The oestrous cycle was characterized with respect to its time of occurrence, constituent phases and duration. The grasscutters manifested erratic oestrous cycles with significantly different lengths, while the guinea pigs manifested uniform oestrous cycles with no significant differences. The oestrous cycles in both species consisted of two phases: one of sexual activity and the other of sexual inactivity. In the grasscutter, the sexual activity phase was represented by an open or secretion-sealed vagina, while in the guinea pig it was solely represented by an open vagina. The phase of sexual inactivity in both species was represented by an inaccessible vagina closed off the exterior by an epithelial membrane. The mean length of the oestrous cycle was 17.5 ± 21.3 days and 15.9 ± 2.1 days in the grasscutter and guinea pig respectively. The grasscutter presented a mean open/sealed period of 11.1 ± 25.9 days and a mean closed period of 12.5 ± 22.4 days. The guinea pigs presented a mean open period of 3.1 ± 1.1 days and a mean closed period of 12.9 ± 1.71 days. Since the grasscutters manifested an erratic oestrous cycle while the spontaneous ovulating guinea pigs manifested a uniform cycle it could be inferred that the grasscutter is an induced ovulator like the cuis (Galea musteloides), an induced ovulating hystricomorph that also manifests the phenomenon in a sporadic manner.Item Reproductive characteristics of the female grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) and formulation of colony breeding strategies(Livestock Research for Rural Development, 2007-12) Addo, P.G.; Awumbila, B.; Awotwi, E.; Ankrah, N.A.The reproductive characteristics of 34 female grasscutters (Thryonomys Swinderianus) were investigated to identify common features that could be used to formulate breeding strategies for grasscutters in captivity. The female's ability to manifest an oestrous cycle, mate, conceive, deliver and wean its young in captivity, as well as elicit signs of successful mating, conception and imminent parturition were investigated. Thirty-one (91.2%) females cycled erratically and mated within 2 weeks of pairing with the male, irrespective of the oestrous phase. Twenty-seven (87.1%) conceived, 2 aborted and 25 (92.6%) gave birth after 148-157 days to 2-6 pups per litter, totalling 98 neonates, which included 9 stillborn. The remaining 89 pups were successfully weaned at 6 weeks of age. All mated females presented post-mating vulval congestion, while those that became pregnant bled intermittently on the 32nd-38 th day after mating, Eleven (44%) of the pregnant females adopted the 'penguin posture' 2-3 days before delivery. The variations among the grasscutters with respect to all the parameters investigated (except the oestrous cycle length) were statistically not significant; suggesting that a common breeding programme could be put in place for management of grasscutters in captivity. Furthermore, since mating, pregnancy and imminent parturition were accompanied by visible cues, they could be used to enhance the practical management of the breeding colonies. In conclusion, the overall findings of this study showed that though the grasscutters of the study are still undergoing domestication, they exhibit fairly uniform characteristics and therefore the formulation of a common breeding programme is practicable.